A new species of Elaeocarpus is described from the Kodaikanal region of Pulney Hills, India; it is morphologically allied to E. variabilis in having anther tips without setae or tuft of hairs and 3-locular pyrenes. It differs from the latter in having ovate, light-green sepals, and ellipsoid fruits enclosing ellipsoid pyrenes. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and trnL–F regions revealed that Elaeocarpus pulneyensis is distinct from E. variabilis and support the novelty of the taxon.

Henckelia multiflora, a robust, caulescent herb, is described from the Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species is morphologically similar to Henckelia khasiana and H. oblongifolia but differs in having up to 30 (occasionally more) flowers per inflorescence, and a longer calyx with caudate-acuminate lobes. The species is presently known from only the Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh.

We review the 22 names in the genus Begonia (Begoniaceae) from J. M. da C. Vellozo’s Flora Fluminensis, taking advantage of recent advances in the understanding of Vellozo’s collecting itinerary and the Begonia flora of southern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We unambiguously match 18 of Vellozo’s names to current species concepts in the genus Begonia, resulting in 10 new synonyms. We provide lectotypifications and epitypifications and accepted names for all taxa. The widespread and common species currently known as Begonia radicans Vell. is shown to be a misapplication of the name, and we reinstate the name B. limmingheiana É.Morren for this taxon. We report the rediscovery of Begonia acetosa Vell., which was last collected approximately 250 years ago by Vellozo, and provide an emended description and IUCN conservation assessment for this species. We are unable to match four of Vellozo’s names to current species concepts and propose that they are rejected.

A list is presented of more than 300 names of vascular plants that are typified by illustrations published in Herbarium Amboinense, the botanical magnum opus of Rumphius. The list includes the currently accepted name for each entry and its typification, where available. Merrill effectively designated lectotypes for some two-thirds of the names linked to Herbarium Amboinense; the rest were dealt with by various authors. In total, 85 new typifications are presented, including both lectotypes and epitypes. A new combination in Ochrosia (Apocynaceae) is proposed. Some nomenclatural issues relating to names published by Loureiro in Flora Cochinchinensis, for which no extant specimens are available but which could be typified by Rumphius illustrations, are also highlighted.

Aulandra H.J.Lam (Sapotaceae) has hitherto been treated as a genus of tropical forest trees native to Borneo. To test whether the genus is distinct from Palaquium Blanco, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood was performed on target capture of nuclear data, including all species currently recognised as belonging in Aulandra. The results confirm that Aulandra is nested within Palaquium and should be synonymised with it. One new combination, Palaquium longifolium (H.J.Lam) A.Phang, is made, and the application of the name P. beccarii discussed, resulting in the description of a new species, Palaquium aulandrum A.Phang.

Species richness patterns are essential for understanding how species diversity has evolved. The filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) are one of the largest families of epiphytic ferns; however, a comprehensive global overview of their species diversity and distribution is lacking. In the present study, we identified the regions of greatest species diversity as Central America, South America and Southeast Asia (including Taiwan Island), followed by the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Madagascar. North America and Europe are low in species richness. Global species richness data based on 100 × 100 km grid cells were analysed to investigate the correlation between species richness and ecological factors. Our results show that filmy ferns have a strong preference for moist and warm habitats, and that current species richness patterns are codetermined by topography, climate and forest cover. Our results also indicate that, as expected, the relationship between soil and epiphytic ferns is minimal, and that there is weak support for the use of solar radiation levels to predict global patterns of diversity for filmy ferns, which primarily occur in deep shade. We highlight potential ecological differences between the two lineages of the Hymenophyllaceae: hymenophylloids and trichomanoids. The unusually low species diversity of filmy ferns in some areas (e.g. the Pan-Himalayan region) is potentially explained by historical ecological adaptation and lack of suitable habitats.

Memecylon coorgensis sp. nov., a small shrubby species from the Kodagu district of Karnataka, India, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to Memecylon gracile with respect to its axillary, peduncled inflorescence but differs in having up to six flowers per inflorescence, in addition to the conical shape of its buds, its acute sepals and its acuminate petals. The species is so far known only from the Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka.

The genus Bournea Oliv., established in 1893 and comprising two morphologically very similar species with actinomorphic flowers, was included in Oreocharis Benth. in 2011, essentially based on molecular data. However, a recent publication has suggested that Bournea should be maintained as a genus distinct from Oreocharis, based on morphological, palynological and DNA sequence data. By contrast, in another recent publication also based on DNA sequences, Bournea is placed within Oreocharis. The morphological, palynological and published molecular phylogenetic data are discussed here. The conclusion is that the overall evidence available is insufficient to support an independent genus, Bournea.

The genus Skogea U.B.Deshmukh, a replacement name for the recently described monospecific genus Actinostephanus F.Wen, Y.G.Wei & L.F.Fu and the correct name for the superfluous Radiaticorollarus Y.G.Wei, F.Wen & Lei Cai, is placed in synonymy with the genus Boeica C.B.Clarke. Neither the morphological characters nor the molecular data provide sufficient justification for generic recognition.

Obituary of Professor Mary Gibby.